Along with Mohammad Amir, recently named in Pakistan’s squad for the tour of New Zealand, the pair were involved in a spot-fixing scandal in 2010 where no-balls were deliberately bowled against England.

Amir’s return to the international fold was accelerated as he accepted his punishment and served three months in jail, but Butt and Asif contested their suspensions.

They failed in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and were both given five-year bans by the International Cricket Council.

Butt was given the longest sentence as he was jailed for 30 months, though he was let out after eight, and Asif served half of a one-year term.

Butt, who had scored 1,889 runs in 33 Test matches before his suspension, made his comeback in style as he hit 135 of 143 balls, including 14 fours, to help his Water and Power Development Authority team to a convincing 141-run victory over Federally Administered Tribal Areas in a one-day cup match in Hyderabad.

The duo were only able to compete in domestic cricket after they underwent a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rehabilitation programme, which involved attending junior matches and giving lectures on anti-corruption.

“I hope that this is the new beginning,” Butt said.

“As long as I will get more matches, I will improve.”

Asif, meanwhile, took two wickets for 22 runs and he says he is keen on putting the turbulent chapter of his life behind him.

“I am very relaxed, the toughest phase of my life is over,” the 33-year-old said.

“This one-day tournament will help me gauge where I stand.

"International cricket is my target but I have to do well in the domestic matches before I can hope [for] international cricket."

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis had earlier opened the door for the duo to potentially represent the country on the international scene in the future, providing their form justified selection.

Amir’s reintegration into the Pakistan squad, however, has sparked outrage from some members of the team as one-day captain Azhar Ali and batsman Mohammad Hafeez boycotted a recent training camp in protest at his inclusion.

The pair then went back on their original stance but Ali offered his resignation as captain, which was turned down by the PCB.

Amir could feature for Pakistan during their tour of New Zealand, which includes three Twenty20 matches and three one-day internationals.

The T20 series is due to begin on Friday (January 15) at Eden Park in Auckland.